The so-called “Spirit Sealing Pillar” is actually a massive magical tool used by ancient cultivators to seal the spiritual energy in the vicinity and completely prevent it from leaking out. This rare artifact is typically employed for two purposes.
One is to seal an extremely precious spiritual herb or plant, preventing its spiritual energy from dissipating and losing its potency, which justifies such an extravagant measure. The other is to suppress powerful ghostly or demonic entities, ensuring they cannot transform or escape. Either purpose indicates that Han Li and the others have made a truly extraordinary discovery.
Spiritual herbs aside, even if the pillar is suppressing some malevolent spirit, once subdued and confined within a magical treasure, it becomes the finest material to enhance the treasure’s power.
However, they all understood that any ghost or demon sealed by such a pillar must be formidable. There was a real risk that, upon entering, they might fail to subdue it and instead fall victim to its retaliation.
After exchanging glances, their faces a mixture of excitement and caution, none of them rashly suggested toppling the pillar immediately.
After a long silence, Jin Qing finally let out a bitter laugh and murmured, “This really is a headache! But after all the effort we’ve put in, surely no one is just going to turn back and leave, right?”
“If you want to leave, go ahead. I absolutely won’t! Even if there are demons inside, I’ll still try to subdue them,” the surly-faced cultivator retorted coldly, hands clasped behind his back.
“Friend Hu Yue, what are your thoughts?” Jin Qing smiled slightly and turned to ask Hu Yue.
“As you know, we rogue cultivators prefer freedom over constraints. While our lives are carefree, we’re much poorer compared to others of the same rank. An opportunity like this is rare—I have to take the gamble!” After a moment of contemplation, Hu Yue spoke with resolve.
Hearing this, Jin Qing showed no surprise and turned his gaze to Han Li.
“I don’t mind either way. If the majority decides to explore, I’ll join in,” Han Li said indifferently, raising an eyebrow. With his seventy-two Green Bamboo Cloud-Swarm Swords forged from Heavencentury Bamboo, why would he fear any ghosts or demons?
“Don’t bother asking me. Although I’m only at the Foundation Establishment stage, I happen to have a demon-repelling treasure given by my father. Even if I can’t defeat them, protecting myself won’t be a problem,” Shi Die interjected before Jin Qing could ask, tilting her head.
“Alright then! Since none of you wish to return empty-handed, let’s topple this pillar! But everyone must be extra cautious!” Jin Qing sighed lightly, his expression serious.
“Heh! No need to remind us, Friend Jin. None of us would joke with our lives. But let’s be clear—if there really are any evil spirits or demons, whoever subdues them keeps them. No fighting over them,” the surly-faced cultivator said slowly, a strange glint in his eyes.
“Of course. If such things exist, it’s every man for himself in subduing them,” Jin Qing agreed without objection.
Naturally, no one else raised any objections.
Seeing this, the surly-faced cultivator perked up, unable to hide his delight.
“What? Friend Jian, do you have some special technique for subduing demons? Why so confident?” Shi Die asked skeptically, giving him a sidelong glance.
“Well… I might as well be honest. The cultivation method I practice does include a technique specifically for dealing with ghostly demons. I never thought I’d have a use for it in this lifetime, but it seems today might be the day,” the surly-faced cultivator admitted after a slight hesitation.
“Earlier, the black skull that demonic cultivator used seemed to be refined from some evil spirit, and you seemed to struggle quite a bit against it?” Shi Die pressed, her disbelief evident.
*Ahem!* “It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but this technique of mine requires some preparation. I was caught off guard by that demonic cultivator, which is why I ended up in such a sorry state,” the stern-faced cultivator explained awkwardly, scratching his head.
Hearing this, Shi Die nodded slightly and said no more, turning her attention back to the Spirit Sealing Pillar.
“Since none of you are willing to back down, let’s get to work! Toppling this pillar is a bit tricky—it needs to be rotated several times with great force before it can be pushed over,” Shi Die explained with excitement.
The others exchanged bewildered looks. Although they were cultivators, physical strength wasn’t their forte. Even with a Strength Enhancement Talisman, moving this massive pillar, thick enough for several people to embrace, seemed impossible.
Frowning at the situation, Han Li silently issued an instruction.
“Let me handle it. I happen to have some strength,” Qu Hun stepped forward and said solemnly, then walked toward the pillar.
Hu Yue and the others looked surprised. Qu Hun had rarely spoken since arriving, so his sudden offer took them aback.
“Then we’ll trouble you, Friend Qu!” Shi Die said curiously.
As if he hadn’t heard, Qu Hun strode to the pillar, a yellow light flashing over him as he applied the Strength Enhancement Talisman. Rolling up his sleeves, he let out a loud shout and wrapped his arms around the pillar.
The two-zhang-tall pillar began to rumble and slowly rotate.
The others were overjoyed.
Qu Hun’s muscles bulged, a faint red glow enveloping his body. After rotating the pillar three times, he pushed it sideways with all his might and leaped backward.
With a deafening crash, the pillar toppled to one side, causing the ground to tremble and leaving a deep groove—proof of its immense weight.
But no one paid attention to the pillar itself; all eyes were fixed on the large hole revealed where it had stood.
The hole was dark, with a cold breeze wafting out, and a narrow staircase of white stone led downward.
“Let’s go!” After a moment’s glance into the hole, the surly-faced cultivator took the lead without another word.
The others hesitated briefly before following. Having come this far, no one was about to turn back.
Watching the cultivators file into the hole with barely concealed excitement, Han Li remained standing still, cupping his chin in thought.
He suddenly produced the glowing red scroll, turning it over in his hands.
After a moment, a thoughtful gleam appeared in his eyes. He stored the scroll away and headed toward the hole, with Qu Hun close behind.
The tunnel was deep, and it took a full quarter-hour for Han Li to reach the bottom of the stairs.
A bright, square hall about twenty zhang across came into view.
Aside from the entrance, there were two semicircular side doors leading to unknown destinations. The ceiling was inlaid with several fist-sized luminescent pearls, casting a milky glow, while the walls sparkled as if enchanted, creating a strikingly beautiful scene.
Hu Yue and the others stood motionless in the center of the hall, staring intently in the same direction and whispering among themselves, as if studying something.
Curious, Han Li walked over.
“What is this?” Han Li exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the object of their focus.
A pristine white skeleton lay half-propped beside a small pool, a foot-long emerald arrow piercing its skull, pinning it firmly to the ground—an eerie sight.
But no one paid much attention to the skeleton; instead, all eyes were fixed on a tri-colored lotus in the pool.
Though still a bud, the lotus was already the size of a bowl, emitting radiant blue, red, and yellow light.
Most astonishingly, a small, exquisite seven-colored rainbow hovered inches above the lotus, shimmering brilliantly.
Even the pool water supporting the lotus wasn’t ordinary—it was a viscous, milky liquid emitting a strange, captivating fragrance.
“The Seven Glows Lotus! It has to be! I thought it was just a myth, but it actually exists! And the pool water… could it be the legendary Millennium Stone Milk?” Hu Yue muttered, his eyes glazed over.
“No wonder there were so many restrictions and the Spirit Sealing Pillar above! If I had these two treasures, I’d set up a dozen more layers of restrictions without hesitation,” Shi Die said, mesmerized, not taking her eyes off the lotus.
“But whose skeleton is this? Could it be the owner of this cave abode?” Jin Qing, seeming to snap out of his daze, glanced at the skeleton curiously.
“Who cares? We’ve hit the jackpot! Even with only three colors, this Seven Glows Lotus would fetch an astronomical price at auction,” the surly-faced cultivator said without turning around, his eyes filled with greed.
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